Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. Government’s Road Safety Action Plan ‘a disappointing mixed bag’ which doesn’t go far enough, say IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 19th Jul 2019

   IAM RoadSmart has called the government’s Road Safety Statement announced today (19 July) ‘a mixed bag’ with welcome news on road policing, pedestrian distraction and seatbelts, but a worrying lack of detail on younger and older drivers or motorcyclists.

   Today the government, as part of the statement, also confirmed a review of roads policing and traffic enforcement will be launched later this year.

   The two-year review will involve looking at how roads policing currently works and its effectiveness, where improvements could be made or any gaps that could be filled, plus how the police and different agencies work together and share information.

   IAM RoadSmart welcomes the focus on road policing. Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is fantastic news as the lack of traffic officers is our members’ most common complaint. Creating new road safety laws and increasing penalties has little impact on safety unless they can be fully and rigorously implemented.”

   The commitment to some form of Graduated Driving Licence is welcome (with extra restrictions on young drivers and a lower blood alcohol limit) but the lack of any timetable for implementation is worrying.

   Mike said: “With young men under 25 being the biggest at-risk group when it comes to serious and fatal crashes and drink-driving, the promise of ‘more research’ is simply not enough.”

   One-fifth of new drivers are involved in a crash during their first year behind the wheel.

   Older drivers were also largely ignored in the review, with no concrete new proposals for the UK’s mature drivers. DVLA figures state that over 1 million drivers in the UK over 80 now hold a valid driving licence, and the number of drivers over 90 with a driving licence has now topped 100,000.

   Mike added: “There is a policy and action vacuum here while the demographic time bomb ticks away. There really needs to be a consultation on raising the license renewal age to 75 and adding an eye test – these are absolute essentials.

   “There also has to be a national debate on how we keep older drivers safe and independently mobile. For example, we would like to see voluntary assessments being promoted and prescribed by GPs.”

   IAM RoadSmart is pleased to see that a Rural Road Users’ Advisory Panel is to be set up.  This must make improving driver and rider behaviour on rural roads a top priority. IAM RoadSmart has called for the inclusion of rural roads as part of the driving test, along with support for refreshing rural driving and riding skills.  

   The continuation of THINK! education campaigns is also potentially good news for drivers and riders, but this promise must come with the funding to ensure these top-quality campaigns can be delivered effectively to the right audience.

   Mike said: “What is totally missing is any reference to motorcycling despite this being one of the four key areas that the statement was supposed to address.  As a minimum we had hoped that the unique road design needs of bikers, access to all bus lanes for motorbikes and encouragement of skill refresher schemes such as those produced by IAM RoadSmart and BikeSafe, would have been announced.” 

   He added with the rise in popularity of e-scooters, in-spite of their use being illegal on UK roads, there needs to be early action on regulation for training, and clarification and enforcement of the law.

   Mike said: “While this review is very welcome and has at least tackled the need for a visible police presence to deter bad road behaviour, there are many areas that have not been fully addressed. It really is a disappointingly mixed bag that will struggle to put our crash statistics back on a downward track.”

   He concluded: “We will keep pushing hard to make a difference for road safety in the UK and will not give up in campaigning for the initiatives that we believe will save lives on the road.” 

2. Government’s Road Safety Action Plan ‘a disappointing mixed bag’ which doesn’t go far enough, say IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 19th Jul 2019

   IAM RoadSmart has called the government’s Road Safety Statement announced today (19 July) ‘a mixed bag’ with welcome news on road policing, pedestrian distraction and seatbelts, but a worrying lack of detail on younger and older drivers or motorcyclists.

   Today the government, as part of the statement, also confirmed a review of roads policing and traffic enforcement will be launched later this year.

   The two-year review will involve looking at how roads policing currently works and its effectiveness, where improvements could be made or any gaps that could be filled, plus how the police and different agencies work together and share information.

   IAM RoadSmart welcomes the focus on road policing. Mike Quinton, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is fantastic news as the lack of traffic officers is our members’ most common complaint. Creating new road safety laws and increasing penalties has little impact on safety unless they can be fully and rigorously implemented.”

   The commitment to some form of Graduated Driving Licence is welcome (with extra restrictions on young drivers and a lower blood alcohol limit) but the lack of any timetable for implementation is worrying.

   Mike said: “With young men under 25 being the biggest at-risk group when it comes to serious and fatal crashes and drink-driving, the promise of ‘more research’ is simply not enough.”

   One-fifth of new drivers are involved in a crash during their first year behind the wheel.

   Older drivers were also largely ignored in the review, with no concrete new proposals for the UK’s mature drivers. DVLA figures state that over 1 million drivers in the UK over 80 now hold a valid driving licence, and the number of drivers over 90 with a driving licence has now topped 100,000.

   Mike added: “There is a policy and action vacuum here while the demographic time bomb ticks away. There really needs to be a consultation on raising the license renewal age to 75 and adding an eye test – these are absolute essentials.

   “There also has to be a national debate on how we keep older drivers safe and independently mobile. For example, we would like to see voluntary assessments being promoted and prescribed by GPs.”

   IAM RoadSmart is pleased to see that a Rural Road Users’ Advisory Panel is to be set up.  This must make improving driver and rider behaviour on rural roads a top priority. IAM RoadSmart has called for the inclusion of rural roads as part of the driving test, along with support for refreshing rural driving and riding skills.  

   The continuation of THINK! education campaigns is also potentially good news for drivers and riders, but this promise must come with the funding to ensure these top-quality campaigns can be delivered effectively to the right audience.

   Mike said: “What is totally missing is any reference to motorcycling despite this being one of the four key areas that the statement was supposed to address.  As a minimum we had hoped that the unique road design needs of bikers, access to all bus lanes for motorbikes and encouragement of skill refresher schemes such as those produced by IAM RoadSmart and BikeSafe, would have been announced.” 

   He added with the rise in popularity of e-scooters, in-spite of their use being illegal on UK roads, there needs to be early action on regulation for training, and clarification and enforcement of the law.

   Mike said: “While this review is very welcome and has at least tackled the need for a visible police presence to deter bad road behaviour, there are many areas that have not been fully addressed. It really is a disappointingly mixed bag that will struggle to put our crash statistics back on a downward track.”

   He concluded: “We will keep pushing hard to make a difference for road safety in the UK and will not give up in campaigning for the initiatives that we believe will save lives on the road.” 

3. Ring-fence funds to tackle ‘national scandal’ of potholes on UK roads, says IAM RoadSmart

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 1st Jul 2019

   IAM RoadSmart has backed calls for a long-term plan to tackle the ‘national scandal’ of potholes on UK roads – saying nearly half of people it surveyed have experienced pothole damage to their vehicles.

   The government’s Transport Select Committee has today (1 July) issued a report stating that the current short-term approach to financing road maintenance as being "not fit for purpose" – which IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity, agrees with.

   The report says: “Potholes are a headache for everyone and a severe risk for many, says the report. A deteriorating local road network undermines local economic performance and results in direct costs to taxpayers, either through rising costs of deferred work or through a mend and make do approach that does not represent good value for money in the long-term.

   “It also damages vehicles and causes injuries to passengers, particularly those with existing medical conditions,” it added.

   A previous survey of more than 7,000 IAM RoadSmart members responded on line with a clear majority thinking that our roads have become much worse in recent years, that there are many more potholes than ever before, and that they have to swerve to avoid potholes on every journey.

   Some 47% - over 3,400 respondents – say they have experienced damage to their car, commercial vehicle, motorbike or bicycle or personal injury as a result of hitting a pothole.

   Around 90% have spotted a deterioration of some level in the roads they use with just over 50% rating the state of their roads as ‘much worse’ in the past three years and 38% rating them ‘worse.’

   Some 81% - close to 6,000 people – say they have noticed ‘many more’ potholes in the past three years, adding in the 13% who have seen ‘a few more,’ that gives a total of 94% who report more potholes.

   Over 56% say they have to take avoiding action on every journey to dodge potholes, while 27% say they have to steer around a pothole every day.

   An Asphalt Industry Alliance investigation found that councils in England and Wales would need to spend a total of £9.8 billion over 10 years to bring all their roads up to standard.

   Rodney Kumar, IAM RoadSmart spokesman, said: “While we understand that local government funding has been cut, the effect of pothole damage to beleaguered British motorists is huge. It costs them a fortune, stops them getting to work and has a detrimental effect on the economy.

   “It really is time to ring-fence funds for tackling this pothole epidemic, and get the problem sorted once and for all.” 

4. Is heavy metal the driver’s enemy? IAM RoadSmart and Auto Express research say yes! And classical isn’t much better

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 30th May 2019

   Metal merchants beware! Research by Auto Express magazine and road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has found that heavy-metal music could cause motorists to lose their cool behind the wheel and become almost as extreme as their guitar god heroes.

   And the calming tones of classical music might not be much better, encouraging too much relaxation and slowing drivers’ progress.

   But pop music could be just the ticket, creating the perfect atmosphere for smooth and controlled driving.

   In a study to discover the effects of different types of music on driving style and safety, Auto Express and IAM RoadSmart used the high-tech racing rig at simulator experts Base Performance Simulators near Banbury, where drivers from the world’s top racing series go to hone their skills. The findings from the research are published in Auto Express today (29 May).

   During the test, consumer reporter Tristan Shale-Hester was tasked with undertaking two simulated precision laps of the Grand Prix track Red Bull Ring in Austria while listening to songs at full volume from four different genres of music – thrash metal, hip-pop, classical and pop.

   The two-lap test involved fast acceleration, a series of technically challenging corners and a speed-limited zone, completed by a controlled stop on the finish line at the end of the second lap.

   After setting a control lap time with no music of four minutes 34 seconds, Tristan tried the same test again while listening to the fast and noisy song ‘(sic)’ by heavy-metal band Slipknot.

   Tristan was a staggering 14 seconds slower and his throttle movements were far more jagged while listening to the metal compared to the control lap, and admitted listening to Slipknot made it harder to concentrate on the circuit layout.  

   Tristan made his next attempt listening to classical music, with the dulcet tones of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on his headphones. But while Tristan’s driving was better with Bach than with Slipknot, he was 12 seconds slower than his control lap, dropping his speed to just 35mph in a 50mph zone without noticing.

   Then came ‘Shake It Off’ by Taylor Swift. Tristan’s time when listening to the bouncy pop classic was only two seconds slower than his control time, and IAM RoadSmart expert Tim Shallcross said that it was on this test that Tristan’s laps were “smoothest in terms of speed consistency.”

   Finally came the complex hip-hop song ‘Humble’ by Kendric Lamar; although driving to this helped Tristan to a time just one second slower than the control lap, it caused him to overshoot the finish line by four car lengths – a potentially dangerous 60-70ft.

   Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief of Auto Express said: “Much of the focus around distracted driving is on using a handheld mobile behind the wheel, and rightly so. But Auto Express’s joint research with IAM RoadSmart shows that as well as making a conscious decision to put their phone away when driving, motorists should also think carefully about what music they listen to.

   “While heavy metal was clearly linked to Tristan’s worst lap, classical music fans may be interested to learn that some pieces appear to promote too deep a state of relaxation to be listened to when behind the wheel.”

   Tim, IAM RoadSmart head of technical policy, added: “What is clear is that the ferocious thrash metal really reduced the ability of the driver to get around the track smoothly. That, and high-energy dance music, are designed to be felt as well as heard, and to be listened to at volume. It’s clear neither help when it comes to making exacting driving manoeuvres.

   “Volume is the major factor for concentration and has a big effect. I would certainly advise drivers to dial down the noise when making a manoeuvre – and save the thrash metal for later in the day, or night!”

5. Queen of Bikers Maria Costello proudly takes IAM RoadSmart logo onto the road race circuit

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 22nd May 2019

   Queen of Bikers Maria Costello MBE is now carrying the IAM RoadSmart logo on her Paton Supertwin racing bike, and you will be able to see it at high speed on the Isle of Man and in Northern Ireland this year.

   Maria is a motorcycle legend and for the past three years has been IAM RoadSmart rider ambassador.

   She will race her Supertwin featuring the IAM RoadSmart logo in this year’s road race season; her LCR F2 sidecar will also feature the logo too.

   Maria has an exciting year ahead of her as she will not only run the Paton for her own team at the fearsome Isle of Man TT, but also be competing in the Supertwin class at the International Ulster Grand Prix, where she has held the fastest female lap record.

   Maria said: “I am proud to be running the IAM RoadSmart logo on my bike this year. I always say that road racing is not only about speed - it is about precision, skill and riding to the best of your ability. It is you and your machine in harmony, making the most of what you and your bike can do.

   “These are lessons that can be applied to riding on the road. There is nothing cool or glamorous about riding fast on public roads and putting your own and other lives in danger. The joy comes in handling your bike well, enjoying every dip and curve, while respecting the road and other road users.”

   Maria’s racing CV makes impressive reading: she has made more than 40 starts at the Isle of Man TT and returned there last summer. She became the first woman ever to claim a podium at the 2016 Classic TT alongside 23 times TT winner John McGuinness.

   For five years Maria held the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course when she lapped the Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73 mph in 2004.

   Last year she became the first female President of the TT Riders Association in its 67 year history.

   Maria will also be leading a women-only IAM RoadSmart Skills Day for riders, on 16 July at Mallory Park.

   During a day that aims to be fun as well as safe, riders taking part can expect to learn new techniques and gain greater understanding about the capability of their motorcycle from Maria herself. 

   She will be coaching riders to recognise their own capabilities and that of their machines; entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit; where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency; controlled, progressive, smooth cornering; and how to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the motorcycle when cornering.

   The cost of the whole day session is £149 per rider. Spaces are strictly limited and subject to availability¹. For more information visit our dedicated web page on Skills Day here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/skillsday or to book call our Support hotline on 0300 303 1134.